MLB Free Agency Rumors: Bold Prediction Has Kyle Tucker Landing In NL East

The biggest name in free agency this offseason will undoubtedly be Kyle Tucker. The star outfielder has been talked about as chasing a $400 million deal. Now, whether he reaches those heights, based on his unremarkable second half of the season, remains to be seen.

But the bidding will be fierce. Can the Chicago Cubs retain him? Will they even try to? Not according to reports. Mark Feinsand of mlb.com writes that "the consensus within the industry is that the Cubs won’t be the team to give him the type of contract he is seeking."

So which team will?

According to Zach Buckey in Bleacher Report, one of the usual big spenders will be the team to pony up the big bag.

We know that the LA Dodgers go hand-in-hand with any top of the market free agent, so Jon Heyman of the New York Post predicted that the Dodgers are "expected to make a play" for Tucker. "Dodgers people are said to love Tucker, and outfield is their one area of less than great strength."

But... The folks at Bleacher Report beg to differ.

Tucker predicted to land with the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency

Buckley writes, "Our crystal ball thinks the Philadelphia Phillies will be even more motivated to add Tucker following back-to-back exits from the Divisional Series."

It's expected a 10-year deal worth around $350 million should get it done. Tucker finished the 2025 season with the Cubs with an .841 OPS, 22 homers and 73 RBIs in 136 games.

As for the Phillies, the move would certainly make sense, as their outfield will be undergoing a big transformation this offseason. Nick Castellanos will be on his way out of town, one way or another. If he isn't traded, the Phils could even release him outright. For his part, Castellanos, going into the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract, has fired Scott Boras and hired a new agent.

Then there's the whole Kyle Schwarber dilemma. The beloved slugger is coming off his best season (of many pretty darn good ones) with a league-leading 56 homers and 132 RBIs. As a free agent, he'll be looking to break the bank. Will the Phillies be up for it for a DH-only type who will be entering his age-33 season?

Perhaps they'll put all that money that would have gone to Schwarber into nabbing a younger elite player who also plays the field.